Matteau faces another suspension

Matteau, who has been suspended for a combined 15 games on two separate incidents with the United States National Team Development Program, accumulated 21 penalty minutes in Thursday’s loss to the Green Bay Gamblers.

Matteau speared a Green Bay player and received a spearing major and a game misconduct with less than a minute remaining in the second period. No Gambler player received a penalty on the incident. According to OHL Central Scouting’s Matt Moran, Matteau earned the spearing call after battling with a Green Bay defender and lifting his stick up between the defender’s legs twice. Matteau’s other six penalty minutes came prior to the ejection on non-related minors.

Last night was just Matteau’s second USHL game back after receiving a seven game suspension after an end of the game incident against Cedar Rapids on Dec. 16. Matteau received slashing and cross-checking majors as well as a gross misconduct for hitting a linesman that was attempting to break up the altercation. Matteau totaled 40 penalty minutes for the end of the game episode. The USHL later reduced the suspension by one game in January.

While playing for the U17 NTDP team last season, Matteau was given an eight game suspension by the USHL – effectively ending his season – after an attempt to injure hit on then-Fargo Force forward Colten St. Clair on March 6. Matteau received a charging major and an attempt to injury match penalty for the hit. St. Clair, who is now at the University of North Dakota, was sidelined for eight games because of the hit.

Last night’s game could be Matteau’s last amateur game played in the United States as the U18 team has just eight remaining USHL games on their schedule. Matteau committed to play for the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada of the QMJHL in January after decommitting from the University of North Dakota.

If suspended for the remainder of the season, Matteau could still play for the team at the IIHF U18 World Championships in mid-April.

Despite the incidents, Matteau remains a top prospect for the 2012 NHL Entry Draft and is currently projected to be a first round pick. The Chicago, Ill. native has five goals and one assist in eleven USHL games this season.